Wine Scores

Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.

Reviews

This is a fantastic expression of the Clynelish distillery! A sweet, almost candied-flower nose and flavor begins the experience in the glass, leaving a big, oily impression on the tongue. This is bright Highland whisky with a noticeably spicy finish.

A terrific buy for the money and one of my favorites in the new Hepburn line of malts. Indian spice notes dominate the palate, and there's a little funk and brine on the nose and the whisky's underbelly. All of this complements big flavors of tobacco, malt, and toasted almonds. The whiskey is a terrific sherried Speyside with just the right amount of rich texture.

Macallan fans will still love this, even though it might just open their minds a little. Not as sweet and sherried like many Macallans, it still has enough richness to keep the Macallan faithful happy. It is dense and floral, but dry, with thick flavors of caramel and coffee.

You don't get much more quintessential Highland than this, and it's a little more restrained than Hepburn's Craigellachie. This malt is spicy and citrus laden, with subtle chocolate, chili, and cinnamon flavors and a touch of oak.

This is a very interesting exploration of older whiskey- a journey that often times ends in disappointment. Unlike brandy, whiskey will fall to pieces if left alone in the barrel for too long. It is a rare treat when a whiskey actually survives an aging process as long as this - this bottle is an experience. There are still some sweet notes in the middle, the ghost of a malty presence from many years ago, but the palate is dominated by dense chocolate and a big cedar nose. A long coffee essence is backed by cigar box and roasted nut flavors - this bottle is a rare experience for $250!

If you're looking for a terrific and interesting red wine in the store for under $15 - look no further. This Tempranillo beauty is one of our best value direct imports - a classic Ribera with dark, brooding fruits, a touch of cedar, and lots of pepper spice on the finish. Very versatile and delicious, and very affordable!

We discovered this small family producer on a recent trip to Santa Lucia, and fell in love with the flavor and the value of this gem from Monterey. The rich, dark fruit notes of the wine drift over a fine layer of granite and sandalwood. This complexity of flavor set this Pinot way above others in its price category.

An old vine selection from the Russian River Valley--and always one of the best in Sonoma. Their 2012 is classic Limerick Lane, a lush Zin packed with flavors of dense plum and blueberry with a touch of pepper.

Another outstanding release from this fantastic Highland distillery! Even at 100 proof--I felt that this malt didn't need any water addition. The flavors are so mellow and integrated from age, the whisky is smooth as silk--more exquisite and elegant than most Scotch on the shelf. Light fig, caramel, coffee, and oak flavors dance behind a rich and malty core of deliciousness. Any fan of Highland whisky will love this very special release!

A rich nose of earth and raspberry gives way to red fruit and fig flavors. This Marlborough beauty has many layers of fruit complexity and reminds me of an elegant Sonoma Pinot from the best of vintages, albeit a little more racy and edgy than most domestic Pinots can get.